Ecuadorian starlet Diego Palacios chooses LAFC over Barcelona | OneFootball

LAFC announced on Monday that 20-year-old Ecuadorian defender Diego Palacios has been signed for an undisclosed fee from SD Aucas using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

Barcelona were heavily interested in the capped Ecuador international and in line to sign him to their ‘B’ squad after impressing in this summer’s FIFA U-19 World Cup, where Ecuador finished third.

Up until late last week, Barça had assumed they had won the race for the player and lined up a medical that was to take place on Sunday.

However, the appeal to play first-team football proved to be too much as Palacios has opted to make the move to the United States.

It’s also believed that the signing of Junior Firpo from Real Betis put off Palacios, who saw the 22-year-old as a direct obstacle to his future success.

Palacios spent last season on loan at Eredivisie outfit Willem II and immediately became their first-choice left-back, contributing three assists in 32 starts which included the KNVB Cup final against Ajax.

The versatile youngster also featured on the left wing and filled in at centre-back on multiple occasions.

“Diego is a young, talented left-back and we’re really excited because we think he’s another player that fits well with everything we try to do,” said LAFC manager Bob Bradley.